The city of Coquitlam is looking at expanding its wireless internet network to make the service available in some parks.
According to a staff report, the city will take $50,000 from gas tax money it receives from the province to pay for the initiative, which is expected to be completed this year.
Currently, WiFi is available at all indoor facilities and at Spirit Square, which is across the street from city hall. But last December, Coquitlam’s information and communication technology manager, Rick Adams, told council staff would start expanding the network to include parks, starting with Town Centre Park.
“We want to have WiFi there for our 125th [birthday] celebrations and the [BC] Seniors’ Games,” he said at the time.
Cities receive an annual allotment from the gas tax fund, which is controlled by the Union of BC Municipalities. This year, Coquitlam will receive $400,000 from the program, which will go toward a variety of projects, including:
• park maintenance ($250,000);
• operations and safety improvements ($70,000);
• way-finding implementation ($15,000);
• and bicycle facilities upgrades ($15,000).
Last year, portions of the gas tax allotment were used to upgrade the playground at Alouette Park ($100,000) and to resurface the spray park at Blue Mountain Park ($100,000).
AUSTIN HIGHRISE GETS COUNCIL OK
An 18-storey apartment building proposed for Austin Avenue near North Road received its final approval from Coquitlam council Monday night.
The 102-unit tower will be located 400 m from the Lougheed SkyTrain station and will feature two townhouse units fronting Whiting Way.
There will be 39 one-bedroom units, 52 two-bedroom units and nine three-bedroom penthouse units.
The development will also accommodate parking for 137 vehicles and 128 bicycles.
